Agilent 11970A Data Sheet

Exceptional Performance

The Agilent Technologies 11970 Series harmonic
mixers are general purpose mixers employing a
dual-diode design to achieve very flat frequency
response and low conversion loss. Each mixer is
calibrated across its full band:

11970K 18 to 26.5 GHz
11970A 26.5 to 40 GHz
11970Q 33 to 50 GHz
11970U 40 to 60 GHz
11970V 50 to 75 GHz
11970W 75 to 110 GHz

This series of mixers has been designed for a local
oscillator frequency of 3 to 6.1 GHz. Accurate
absolute amplitude measurements can be made by
using the mixer’s conversion loss calibration chart.
The SWR of the waveguide input is typically 2.2:1
to further minimize measurement uncertainty. The
combination of high gain-compression level and low
conversion loss provides the maximum dynamic
range for measuring input signals.

Agilent 11970 Series
Harmonic Mixers

Data Sheet

For use with the Agilent E4407B, 8560E/EC Series,
8566B, 71000 Series, and
PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers

• Excellent frequency response

• Low conversion loss

• No bias or tuning adjustments

• High safe input level, 100 mW

• Amplitude calibrated
18 to 110 GHz
11970K, 11970A,
11970Q, 11970U,
11970V, 11970W

2

Easy to Use

The excellent frequency response and low conver­sion loss are achieved without external dc bias or
tuning stubs. Since bias and tuning stubs are not
required, manual operation is simplified, and the
complexity of hardware and software for automatic
systems is greatly reduced. The repeatability of
amplitude measurements is also enhanced. The
dual-diode design of the mixers further simplifies
measurements by suppressing the odd-order har­monics by more than 20 dB, which makes identifi­cation of the mixing products easier.

Rugged

The rugged Agilent 11970 Series mixers will
survive input levels up to 100 milliwatts (+20 dBm)
with no damage to the mixer diodes. They will
withstand shocks up to 30 G’s and the vibration
required by MIL-STD 28800C, Type III, Class 3
tests.

Frequency Extension for the Agilent E4407B,
8560E/EC Series, 8566B, and 71000 Series and
PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers

The 11970 Series harmonic mixers are fully com­patible with the Agilent E4407B, 8560E/EC Series,
8566B, 71000, and PSA Series spectrum analyzers.
Accurate frequency and amplitude measurements
are made directly from the spectrum analyzer’s
display after calibration using the mixer’s calibra­tion chart. The 11975A microwatt power amplifier
can be used with the 8566B spectrum analyzer to
provide the necessary LO power of 14 to 18 dBm to
the mixers. The 11975A has internal power leveling
to achieve maximum measurement accuracy.

Figure 1. A conversion loss chart is attached to each mixer

Agilent 8560E/EC Series spectrum analyzer

Extended frequency 8560E/EC Series

Agilent E4407B spectrum analyzer

Extended frequency E4407B ESA-E Series

Agilent 8566B spectrum analyzer

Extended frequency 8566B spectrum analyzer

Agilent 71000 Series spectrum analyzer

Extended frequency 71000 Series spectrum analyzer

Agilent PSA Series spectrum analyzer

Extended frequency PSA Series

Spectrum analyzer

IF input

1st LO output

Agilent 11970 Series
harmonic mixer

IF

LO

SMA cable

SMA cable

3

Specifications

IF range DC to 1300 MHz
LO amplitude range +14 to +18 dBm

1

Calibration accuracy
(with IF of 321.4 MHz)

11970A/Q/U ±2.0 dB with LO amplitude range of +14.5 to +16 dBm;

±3.0 dB with LO amplitude range of +16 to +18 dBm

11970V/W ±2.6 dB with LO amplitude range of +14.5 to +16 dBm;

±3.2 dB with LO amplitude range of +16 to +18 dBm

Typical RF input SWR

11970A/Q/U < 2.2:1
11970V/W < 2.6:1

Bias requirements None
Typical odd-order

suppression

11970A/Q/U > 20 dB
11970V/W > 15 dB

Maximum CW RF

input level +20 dBm (100 mW)

Maximum peak

pulse power +24 dBm (250 mW) with < 1 m sec

pulse (average power +20 dBm)

Specifications describe the device’s warranted performance over the temperature range 0 to 55˚C
(except where noted).
Supplemental characteristics are typical, but non-warranted, performance parameters intended to provide
information useful in applying the device. These are denoted as “typical,” “nominal,” or “approximately.”

Frequency LO Maximum Spectrum analyzer Frequency Typical gain
Agilent model range harmonic conversion noise (dBm) response compression
number (GHz) number loss (dB) 1 kHz BW (dB) (dBm)

11970K 18 to 26.5 6– 24 –105 ±1.9 –3
11970A 26.5 to 40 8– 26 –102 ±1.9 –5
11970Q 33 to 50 10– 28 –101 ±1.9 –7
11970U 40 to 60 10– 28 –101 ±1.9 –7
11970V 50 to 75 14– 40 –92 ±2.1 –3
11970W 75 to 110 18– 46 –85 ±3.0 –1

Agilent model
number Flange Weight X Y Z

11970K UG-595/U 0.17 kg 36 mm 51 mm 90 mm

WR-42 0.36 lb 1.4 in 2.0 in 3.5 in
11970A UG-599/U 0.14 kg 36 mm 51 mm 71 mm

WR-28 0.32 lb 1.4 in 2.0 in 2.8 in
11970Q UG-383/U 0.14 kg 36 mm 51 mm 76 mm

WR-22 0.32 lb 1.4 in 2.0 in 3.0 in
11970U UG-383/U-M 0.14 kg 36 mm 51 mm 76 mm

WR-19 0.32 lb 1.4 in 2.0 in 3.0 in
11970V UG-385/U 0.14 kg 36 mm 51 mm 76 mm

WR-15 0.32 lb 1.4 in 2.0 in 3.0 in
11970W UG-387/U 0.14 kg 36 mm 51 mm 76 mm

WR-10 0.32 lb 1.4 in 2.0 in 3.0 in

1. The Agilent 11975A amplifier (2 to 8 GHz) or a similar amplifier can be used to provide sufficient LO power (14 to 18 dBm) to the mixers.

An LO power of between 14.5 to 16 dBm at the mixer’s LO input is necessary to achieve the given frequency response and spectrum
analyzer amplitude accuracy specifications. When LO power varies between 14 to 18 dBm at the mixer’s LO input, add ±1 dB to the
frequency response and spectrum analyzer amplitude accuracy specification.

Ordering Information

11970K 18 to 26.5 GHz mixer
11970A 26.5 to 40 GHz mixer
11970Q 33 to 50 GHz mixer
11970U 40 to 60 GHz mixer
11970V 50 to 75 GHz mixer
11970W 75 to 110 GHz mixer

Options:
11970X-009 Mixer connection kit containing three

1-meter SMA cables, wrench, and allen
driver. Note: X = K, A, Q, U, V or W

11970X-C01 Improved EMC radiated susceptibility.

Note: X = K, A, Q, U, V or W

11975A 2 to 8 GHz amplifier (for use with the

8566B)

Warranty and service

Standard warranty is 12 months.

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© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2005, 2003, 2002
Printed in USA, July 13, 2005

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